Chardham Yatra: CHARDHAM YATRA

CHARDHAM YATRA MAP:-

TRAIN ROUTE FOR CHARDHAM :-

Train No	Train Name	From	To	Departure	Arrival	Runs On
2205	NDLS DDN AC EXP	NEW DELHI	HARIDWAR	23:55	04:00	M T W TH F - SU
2206	DDN NDLS AC EXP	HARIDWAR	NEW DELHI	00:40	05:05	- T W TH F S SU
2951	MUMBAI RAJDHANI	MUMBAI	NEW DELHI	16:40	08:30	M T W TH F S SU
2952	MUMBAI RAJDHANI	NEW DELHI	MUMBAI	16:30	08:35	M T W TH F S SU
9105	HARIDWAR MAIL	AHMEDABAD	HARIDWAR	09:25	12:15	M T W TH F S SU
9106	HARIDWAR MAIL	HARIDWAR	AHMEDABAD	15:25	18:40	M T W TH F S SU
2957	SWARNA J RAJ EX	AHMEDABAD	NEW DELHI	17:25	07:25	M T W TH F S SU
2958	ADI SJ RAJDHANI	NEW DELHI	AHMEDABAD	19:55	10:05	M T W TH F S SU

ROAD ROUTE FOR CHARDHAM :-

Distance Information:-

No. Of Days	From	To	Distance
Day 01	Delhi	Haridwar	210 Kms, 7 Hrs
Day 02	Haridwar	Barkot	205 Kms, 7 Hrs
Day 03	Barkot	Yamunotri -> Barkot	45 Kms, then 5 Kms Trek
Day 04	Barkot	Uttarkashi	95 Kms, 4 Hrs
Day 05	Uttarkashi	Gangotri -> Uttarkashi	100 Kms, 5 Hrs
Day 06	Uttarkashi	Guptkashi	225 Kms, 8 Hrs
Day 07	Guptkashi	Kedarnath	35 Kms, then 14 Kms Trek
Day 08	Kedarnath	Guptkashi	14 Kms Trek, then 35 Kms
Day 09	Guptkashi	Badrinath	170 Kms, 8 Hrs
Day 10	Badrinath	Srinagar	165 Kms, 7 Hrs
Day 11	Srinagar	Rishikesh	100 Kms, 4 Hrs
Day 12	Rishikesh	Delhi	230 Kms, 8 Hrs

Note:- Driving not permitted in hills from 8PM to 5AM.

Driving Tips

● Always keep your vehicle on left side of the Road.
● Use Horn at curves on hills.
● Never overtake the overtaking vehicle.
● Use shoes instead of slippers while driving.
● Never drive an overloaded vehicle.
● Steering duty should not be more than Eight hours a day.
● Use Dippers at night and appropriate signals on Road while Driving.
● Check your Brakes and Hand Brakes before starting journey.
● Check your speed while driving on hills.
● Always give way to upcoming vehicle / vehicles.
● Keep your valid vehicle's documents with you to avoid inconvenience.
● Check the Headlights, Break light and Parking lights of your vehicle.
● Before journey, make sure that fuel tank of your vehicle is full, in case of land slides you might have to take alternate long routes.
● Ensure to refuel, where ever easily you get chance, during season there might be long queues in Petrol Pumps at main stations.
● Carry first aid box with you.
● In case of traffic jam, park your vehicle at the end of the queue. If you initiate a parallel queue, the traffic from other side might force you to drive in reverse gear, till you reach again at end of the original queue. And you may find it very difficult to drive long in reverse gear on a hilly road.
● Don't compete with local vehicles / drivers. They know the terrain very well.
● If you are using public vehicle, never hesitate to ensure that the Driver of the vehicle is following all rules properly.

● Don't Drive after drinking Liquor.

Travel Tips

● Make prior Hotel Bookings.
● Carry snacks with you in case of long traffic jams / land slides.
● Carry Drinking Water, and medicines with you.
● Respect customs of locals.
● Carry Rain Coat / Umbrella, torch, minimum luggage with you.

Clothing
Summers - Moderate Woolen
Winters - Heavy Woolens

Train Connectivity
Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Dehradun are well connected to major cities of India by Railway Network. Check Indian Railway website http://www.indianrail.gov.in for details.
Air Connectivity
Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun
Daily flight from Delhi to Dehradun is available.

Helicopter service to Kedarnath and Badrinath is available from Fata Helipad near Rudraprayag and Jollygrant Airport Dehradun.

Special Attractions

GENERAL INFORMATION OF CHARDHAM YATRA

Badrinath:-

It is considered the holiest of the four main shrines of Uttarakhand. Badrinath is one of the itinerary of the every devout Hindu. The present temple was built about 2 centuries ago by the Kings of Gharwal. The principal idol in the temple is of black stone and represents Lord Vishnu seated in a meditative pose, and flanked by Narayan. Badrinath is also known as Vishal Badri. The temple remains closed from October to April due to severe winter conditions. The famous hot spring of Taptkund and Suryakund are just below the temple. A dip considered holy and refreshing to the body as well as the soul is a must before offering prayers to Shri Badrinath.

General Information: -

Climate

Month                   Max. Temp.                Min. Temp.
May                      5 Deg. C                    0.Deg.C
June                     14.5 Deg. C                5.9 Deg .C
Cloths :                 Light woolen (May to September)
Languages :           Hindi, Garhwali and English.

Kedarnath :-

Set amidst the stunning mountains cape of the Gharwal Hills, Kedarnath at the head of the Mandakini river, is a very holy pilgrimage. It is located at the height of 11,742 feet(3580 m), is a famous pilgrim site for Lord Shiva devotees. According to the legend, Lord Shiva wished to elude the Pandavas and took refuge in Kedarnath. The lingam at Kedarnath, unlike it's usual form is pyramidal and is regarded as one of the 12 Jyotilingas. The shrine is closed on the first day of Kartik (Oct-Nov) and reopened in Vaishakh (Apr-May). During 9 months of closure the shrine is submerged in snow and worship is performed at Ukhimath.

General Information:-

Altitude

3,200 mt.

Climate

Month	Max. Temp.	Min. Temp.
May	14 Deg. C	5.7 Deg. C
June	18 Deg. C	9 Deg. C

Clothing

Cloths

Light woolen (May to September)

Languages

Hindi, Garhwali and English.

Gangotri : -The Ganges is India's most sacred river. Hindus believe its waters to have flowed eternally. It's source is said to be the summit of Mt. Meru; the mythical mountain at the centre of the universe. From there the river descends to earth via Lord Shiva's matted hair, which cushions it's falls. It is worshipped by Hindu's as the goddess Ganga and the great cities of Varanasi, Allahabad and Hardwar on it's banks are amongst the most important pilgrim places in India. Pilgrims bathe in the Ganges to cleanse themselves of the Marma of previous and current lives, and so ensure an auspicious rebirth. The closest temple to the sources of Ganges lies 10,300 feet up in the small mountain village of Gangotri, half days climb on foot from the town Rishikesh. "Gaumukh" the actual source of the Ganges is at 13,858 feet; a further days walk ahead to where the Gangotri glacier meets the Bhagirathi river. Prayer plags and small shrines mark the source. A good place to meditate in solitude

General Information:-

Altitude	:	3,200 mt.
Climate
Summer	:	Cool during the day and cold at night.
Winter	:	Snow-bound. Touching sub-zero.
Clothing
Summer	:	Light woolens.
Winter	:	Very heavy woolens.
Languages	:	Hindi, Garhwali and English.

Yamunotri:-
The temple at Yamunotri marks the source of another sacred river 'Yamuna'. The temple was built by 'Maharani Gularia' of Jaipur in the 19th Century. There are number of thermal springs in the vicinity of the temple which flows into numerous pools. The most important of this is 'Suryakund'. The rock pillar 'Divya Shakti' is worshipped before entering the temple. Hanumanchatti: 13 km from Yamunotri. The confluence of Hanuman, Ganga and Yamuna river, from where the trek 'Dodi Tal' (3307 mt) starts. Route -> Rishikesh - Barkot - Hanumanchatti - Yamunotri. Other picturesque places from Yamunotri are - 'Sayanachatti' (18km). 'Chamba' (climb of 1,524 m).

Altitude	:	3,235 mt.
Climate
Summer	:	Cool during the day and cold at night.
Winter	:	Snow-bound. Touching sub-zero.
Clothing
Summer	:	Light woolens
Winter	:	Very heavy woolens.
Languages	:	Hindi, Garhwali and English.

REQUIREMENTS FOR CHAR DHAM YATRA:-

» Raincoat/Umbrella	»
» Hand gloves (Woollen)	» Swatter/Pullover
» Wind Cheater	» One Extra bed sheet.
» Canvas Shoes with deep grips	» Socks (Woolen) two pair
» Stick available on hire at Govindghat	» Torch with extra pairs of Battery
» Rope for drying lenians.

MEDICINE AS PER PRESCRIBED BY THE DOCTOR

» Iodex / Relexil	» Vicks Ointment or Vicks candid
» Novalgine or any painkiller tablet	» Sunglass
» Cold cream	» Anticeptic Ointment
» Bandage	» Band Aid
» Intestopan/Imosecs for Diarrhoea	» Any other medicine prescribed by your doctor if you have B.P or any other problems

PRECAUTION FOR CHAR DHAM YATRA

»	Cover your head with Monkey cap or any other woollen clothes while on high altitude to avoid hill- sickness, giddiness etc., at Badrinath, KEDARNATH, Gangotri, Yamunotri.
»	Keep on drinking water/liquid to avoid hill-diarrhoea
»	While on high altitude, eat only what is cooked over there.
»	While on trekking, trek in one motion (Slow step), avoid any compitition. Try to maintainthe trekking motion till last; this will keep maintained your stemona.
»	Put sweet candid in the mouth, use electrol/gulcon in water while trekking.
»	Trek only on hill-side, avoid trekking or standing on valley side, as poney (horse)coming from opposite direction may push you down to the valley which may cause serious casualty.
»	Tap-Water is available at every place, use only tap-water or boiled water can be obtainedfrom local chatti (tea-shop) on free of charges during on trekking.
»	While hiring poney/doli/local laborer if tea/meals if offered to them, they provide better services or take more care of you.
»	While carrying your luggage through the porters tie it properly as to avoid any loss of luggage.